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Fortress in the Rice

Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1951. First Edition. Appel's novel of the Philippine guerrilla movement, which grew out of his experience as an officer in the U.S. Philippine Commission following WWII. The novel was adapted for the 1963 Irving Lerner film Cry of Battle starring Rita Moreno, Van Heflin and James MacArthur. This is one of several inscribed Benjamin Appel titles from the library of Ben and Bernarda Shahn, who were Appel's long-time neighbors in the small leftist hamlet of Roosevelt, New Jersey. Octavo (21.5cm). Red cloth-covered boards, lettered in gilt. With a warm presentation inscription to Ben and Bernarda Shahn: "To Ben and Bernarda and all the little Shahns, who are not related to (the "Portrait of) Sahn the Guerrilla" on p.165 / Ben Appel," dated Sept. 1951. Binding slightly shaken, with thin crack to front hinge; moderate external rubbing and wear and soiling; Good or better.